MUSCICAPIDAE—FLYCATCHERS.
107
week of January, 1850, and Mr. H. Barclay others at Walthamstow. Mr
Chas. E. Smith of Coggeshall records one (31. 52) near that place "shot from
among a flock of Starlings, 1851," Mr. English includes it as a "casual visitor"
in his Epping List (43. i. 23). One was shot at Willingale about 1858, and
another more recently (Scruby). Ed. Newman records one (34. 560) near
Ongar on November 28th, 1866, and another two days later at Loughton. Dr.
Laver remembers seeing some that were shot at Abberton about 1878. One was
seen alone in a garden at Dovercourt on December 13th, 1882 (Kerry, 40. vii.
120). Mr. Travis records (44. iv. xii.) a male shot at Chrishall on January
17th, 1883, and a female shot about the same time at Sampford. " E. C."
records (29. Jan. 20) that while walking round Wanstead Park on January 14th,
1883, he watched three for several minutes. He adds, " It is fourteen years
since a pair of these birds were killed near Chigwell." About the same time, two
males and a female, all shot in Essex, were sent to Mr. Travis of Walden for
preservation. One is recorded (Chelmsford Chronicle, Mar. 30) as having been
shot at Dedham by Mr. B. Watson, jun., about the third week in March, 1883,
another being seen about at the same time. The Rev. P. A. Leaky of Sudbury
possesses a fine specimen shot in Essex. Mr. T. W. Offin shot one at Rayleigh
about ten years ago. Mr. Charles Smoothy observed one on several occasions at
Danbury in January of the present year.
Family MUSCICAPIDAE.
Pied Flycatcher: Muscicapa atricapilla.
An uncommon passing migrant in spring and autumn, when on
its way to and from its breeding localities in the North of England
and in Scotland. Its usual
dates of appearance in the
county seem to be early in
May and early in Septem-
ber. It has once been
known to breed in the
county, and it has done so
exceptionally in several
other southern counties.
The Rev. R. Sheppard ob-
served it occasionally at Wrab-
ness, as he notes its arrival there
(I7)i on May 16th and April
29th, in 1822 and 1823 respectively. Mr. Joseph Clarke notes (24) the occurrence
of a male at Audley End in or about 1826. At Stoke Nayland, in Suffolk, just
beyond the Essex border, J. D. Hoy records (12. iii. 436) that several were seen
on May 1st, 1830. He also records (12. vi. 151) that one was shot at Stoke Nay-
land on the 7th of September, 1832. " It was in company with several of the
spotted species. I know several instances of its having been met with in the same
vicinity, both spring and autumn, but never heard of its remaining to breed."
Henry Doubleday says (10) one was seen at Epping in August, 1835, and in